Hi folks!
Mybe that's no news for you, but I recently found out that an espresso machine supplier in my town takes the old, used, mostly calcified machines back when a customer buys a new one from him - any brand! Once a month some men from our neighbor east bloc countries pick these oldies up for almost no money. Either they repair them at home and use them for their own coffee houses, or they use them as spare part storage. Yesterday I saw an old Faema (2-group), Rancilio (2-g), Gaggia (2-g) and La San marco (3-g). Not THAT old, but I guess between 10 and 20 years. I'm going to get the LSM for about 180 €. I know that I'll have to take it apart and replace all the gaskets, and maybe some other parts are not working, too - but all together the spare parts won't cost more than 400 -600 €, so a renewed 3 group LSM for 600 - 800 € (worst case!) ?!? I like that!
Sorry, I got carried away - I just wanted to give all the handycraft enthusiasts in this forum a hint to ask your local espresso machine suppliers if they hide some old, used treasures in their basement
Greetings
Joey